Better Vixen brake shoes

Better Vixen brake shoes

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Discussion

Jerry-nsnl3

Original Poster:

51 posts

80 months

Friday 17th March 2023
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I am looking at brake shoe options as I am in the rear brake area now as part of my S3 Vixen rebuild. To make the most of the drum setup, I have looked at what appears to be available, with Moss selling standard and uprated shoes, while Cambridge Motorsports sell uprated sets and their Mintex lined shoes are only £30 more than the Moss uprated shoes. Have other owners on here gone with uprated shoes or maybe not felt there is a need for it, that standard shoes are fine? I only intend to use the car on the road but like most people would drive in a spirited manner if the road and conditions allowed for it.....

NicBowman

785 posts

237 months

Friday 17th March 2023
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I wouldn’t overthink it. Drums don’t do much. Front brake much more effective. Updated is not a defined term. Just get some pads.

Best

Nic

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Friday 17th March 2023
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Standard shoes quite adequate for even "spirited" driving.

GAjon

3,721 posts

212 months

Friday 17th March 2023
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Always a lot of personal preference on brake linings,but, whatever you go for try and get bonded and riveted .


Moto

1,230 posts

252 months

Saturday 18th March 2023
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I find the standard rear shoes are fine for fast road / light track use. I'd just make sure the shoes, drums and cylinders are all in good condition, setup and working correctly.

Also increasing rear braking performance should be balanced with increasing front braking performance as you won't want rears locking up before the fronts under heavy braking.

Unless you're doing something extreme, I'd leave the brakes standard. In my experience they're more than capable for the weight and power of a lightly modified Vixen.

Hope that's helpful.

Moto

GTRene

16,367 posts

223 months

Saturday 18th March 2023
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Sometimes you also see Vixen with rear rotors/discs, is such kit easy to install and are there plug and play kits for TVR Vixen's to buy, or ?

Just wondering if you want to upgrade the rear, even if its maybe not really a upgrade in a lot cases? although you then also need to have a handbrake caliper extra, or build in the main caliper, I believe I've seen such also, although that was not on a TVR, but I thought hey, thats handy, a brake caliper with build in handbrake in one, so you would not need a second extra caliper for the handbrake system.

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Saturday 18th March 2023
quotequote all


Later TVR's (V8s, Griffith and Chimaera) used caliper from Ford Sierra/Scorpio with integral handbrake mechanism.

Jerry-nsnl3

Original Poster:

51 posts

80 months

Saturday 18th March 2023
quotequote all
General advice appears to be to stay standard then. At least that is the cheapest option though which is a bonus. To that end: Moss seem to be short on stock for TR6 brake spares generally, going by their website. An ebay item I have found though for a full axle brake service kit is well priced but need to confirm with them what wheel cylinder bore they are supplying and how their linings are fixed (following advice here).

GTRene

16,367 posts

223 months

Saturday 18th March 2023
quotequote all
phillpot said:
Later TVR's (V8s, Griffith and Chimaera) used caliper from Ford Sierra/Scorpio with integral handbrake mechanism.
ah thanks thumbup
just looked it up, indeed they do, such can become handy if you do not like to make a second caliper point on a car.

GAjon

3,721 posts

212 months

Sunday 19th March 2023
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GTRene

16,367 posts

223 months

Sunday 19th March 2023
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Thanks John, fantastic clear picture of it, thanks thumbup

GeneralBanter

649 posts

14 months

Sunday 19th March 2023
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NOS Granada pads made a huge difference to braking, the nose almost dipped on a sharp brake and dry road.

Jerry-nsnl3

Original Poster:

51 posts

80 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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I assume the NOS Granada pads mentioned here are front pads and I assume they fit the standard calipers? On the strength of another older thread within the TVR community, I have got hold of some P5 Rover V8 calipers that are three pots and supposedly fit straight on, so will look at their suitability for the front brakes after finishing at the back end.

Adrian@

4,289 posts

281 months

Monday 20th March 2023
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No, Granada pads will not fit straight on, as the pin sizes would be different (you need to double check, you can drill/file to suit)...IMHO buy new ABS quality pads which will be better than NOS. A@

GeneralBanter

649 posts

14 months

Monday 20th March 2023
quotequote all
Adrian@ said:
No, Granada pads will not fit straight on, as the pin sizes would be different (you need to double check, you can drill/file to suit)...IMHO buy new ABS quality pads which will be better than NOS. A@
Yes youre right, I put a 1/4" drill through and job done. Apart from that they fitted.

Jerry-nsnl3

Original Poster:

51 posts

80 months

Monday 20th March 2023
quotequote all
Sorry, I meant to write P6 Rover V8 calipers earlier!